Senator McCain proposes ending subsidies for rural air service

WASHINGTON — A senator who is a key figure in aviation issues vowed Thursday to fight off an attempt to eliminate a program that subsidizes air service to small airports, often in remote communities.

The proposal is shaping up as an early test in the new Congress of conservatives’ zeal for shrinking the federal government.

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller said the proposal to eliminate the $200 million essential air service program is a “nonstarter.” He is the chief sponsor of a bill to authorize Federal Aviation Administration programs for the next two years that opponents are trying to amend to eliminate the air service subsidies.